The Parliament of Sierra Leone has on Thursday, 16 January 2025 debated and committed the Bill entitled;
“The Counter Terrorism Act, 2024”, to the Legislative committee for further consideration.
The Bill seeks to provide for the establishment of the National Counter-Terrorism Coordination Committee, to provide for offenses of terrorism and terrorism-related matters, to provide for enforcement measures on terrorist funds and other assets, to provide for the prohibition of financial support to terrorism, and to provide for other related matters.
Presenting the Bill before the House, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Alpha Sesay noted that the Bill before the House is divided into eleven parts that seek to address issues relating to terrorism.
In his submission, the Parliamentary Chairman of Defence Hon. Alex M. Rogers said the Bill is vital for the development of the State and urged for a parliamentary security collaboration songs with the State. He pleaded with colleague MPs to speedily pass the Bill into law.
On his part, Hon. Mohamed Bangura from Karene District said the implementation of the Act is very important and urged for proper monitoring mechanism. The MP also went to request for the total involvement of the community.
He submitted that the security of the people has to be secured, citing their human rights status. He encouraged MPs to support the Bill and take into cognizance that, terrorism destroys a State.
On his part, Hon. Unpha Sorie Koroma from Western Area Urban said the Bill is very important and it should be committed to the Legislative Committee for further consideration. “In as much as we want to make the law, let us make it important for the people, and mindful of the law”, he said.
He advised that the law should be for everyone and not for certain individuals.
Rounding up the debate, the Opposition Leader, Hon. Abdul Kargbo said they as opposition had been supporting the Government in passing Bills, but also they have to be critical. He said as an opposition leader he has gone through the Bill. He cautioned that the Bill should not to be against political opponents. He advised for the intent of the law to be used for its intended purposes and not otherwise. “What is in the Bill is not prevailing in this country but not withstanding that, it is important for the nation,” he averred.
He called on the House for the Bill to be committed to the Legislative Committee for further scrutiny. He concluded by calling for the law to be used and not to intimidate anyone.
In concluding the debate, the leader of the Government Business, Hon. Matthew Shar Nuyma said laws are made for the development of the State and not otherwise. He went on to allay the fear of the Opposition that the Bill would match with its intended purpose for combating terrorism and not otherwise. The Leader of the House went further to highlight the important nature of the Bill. “A terrorist is a terrorist, and we can’t use this law to discriminate against anyone”, he submitted.
Hon. Nyuma acknowledged the importance of the composition of the Bill.
“We are far beyond in intimating a set of people in the country”, he said.
He assured the House that the Bill seeks to address another international standard in addressing terrorism.
